As the Calgary Flames navigate their final roster moves ahead of setting their 2026-27 opening roster, they’ll have to deal with losing a key piece of their defensive depth.

After being placed on waivers on Friday by the Flames, defenceman Andreas Englund has been claimed off waivers by the Detroit Red Wings.

Englund, 30, joined the Flames as a free agent this summer after a short stint in Nashville’s system. This Swedish left-shot defender has played everywhere, man, with stints in the NHL (200 games), AHL (352 games) and SHL (95 games), as well as ample international experience.

Clearing the waiver wire and headed to the American Hockey League’s Calgary Wranglers shortly are seven others: defencemen Mike Benning and Jake Livingstone, and forwards Dryden Hunt, Ben Jones, Rory Kerins, Sam Morton and William Stromgren.

Benning, 24, joined the Flames as a free agent this summer after three seasons in Florida’s system, including a stint with the NHL club last summer. He’s a small but productive right shot defenceman. He’s Matt Benning’s younger brother.

Livingstone, 27, is another Flames free agent signing, joining after a stint in Florida’s system. This B.C. product is a right shot defender who played college hockey at Minnesota State Mankato and is a former Second Team All-American.

Hunt, 30, is entering his fourth full season in the Flames organization. A versatile left shot forward that can play either wing, and can move up and down the NHL and AHL lineup as needed, he’s a really valuable glue guy for the Wranglers.

Jones, 27, is back with the Flames as a free agent after a stint in Minnesota’s system, including a bunch of NHL time. A former member of the Wranglers, he’s a left shot centre that’s also effective on the wing.

Kerins, 24, was a sixth-round pick by the Flames in 2020 and has worked his way into being one of the more fascinating players in their system. A left shot forward that can flex between centre and the wing, he may not be a traditional play-driver, but he might have the best offensive instincts in the system for knowing precisely where to be to receive a pass or to get a shot off quickly.

Morton, 27, was a free agent signing out of college out of Minnesota State Mankato, and he’s become a really important two-way centre in the Flames system. He’s made NHL appearances in each of the last two seasons and could push for NHL time again this year.

Stromgren, 23, was a second-round pick by the Flames in 2021. He’s become a prominent part of the Wranglers in all game situations, and he earned NHL games last season. We’ll see if he can build on that this season.

The Flames conclude their pre-season schedule on Saturday night in Edmonton.

Take $20 off your first Vivid Seats order of $200+ using promo code FLAMESNATION (new customers only, $200 USD minimum before taxes & fees)